These two famous coaches are not included in EA Sports' College Football 26

One of the biggest additions to College Football 26, EA Sports' sophomoric return to the world of NCAA football, is the inclusion of real coaches. Last year's generic group of coaches was a net negative in the franchise's return. This year, fans will be able to choose from creating their own coach in Dynasty mode or taking control of the real-life coach of their favorite program.

Well, most fans at least.

Several high-profile coaches declined the opportunity to be included in the game, a group that is headlined by North Carolina's Bill Belichick and Colorado's Deion Sanders, two of the most famous coaches in the college game, and two that fans would have undoubtedly enjoyed playing with or against.

They have been replaced by generic coaches Kirk Patrick (Colorado) and Hector Luna (North Carolina).

Belichick's exclusion comes as no real surprise, considering he never allowed his likeness to be used by the Madden franchise when he was the head coach of the New England Patriots, either. EA did miss a golden opportunity to revive Patriots legend Griffin Murphy, however.

Sanders not being in the game is a bit more surprising, considering Coach Prime has not missed many opportunities to promote himself or his program as he enters his third season in Boulder.

Miami's Mario Cristobal among others who aren't in the game, either

Belichick and Sanders are the most famous omissions, but they aren't alone. Miami's Mario Cristobal is among another group of head coaches who will not be included in the game, either. At the power-four level, it's Belichick, Sanders, Cristobal, Iowa's Kirk Ferentz, and Stanford's Frank Reich. There are a handful of G5 coaches who aren't in the game, either:

Why these coaches chose not to be included is unknown. At Stanford, Frank Reich is an interim coach for the 2025 season following the termination of Troy Taylor. His late add to the Cardinal likely prevented him from being in the game, and with him being the interim for just this season alleviated any urgency to get him included.

Allowing your likeness to be used by EA Sports for the popular video game franchise seems like an easy way to promote your program, so passing on that opportunity doesn't make much sense, particularly for the coaches of smaller schools. Guys like Belichick, Sanders, and Cristobal have the ability to sell their programs on their own merits.

The others could use all the help they can get.